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Topics: Athletics, Noah Lyles, Usain Bolt
Ben McAleer
Usain Bolt message to Noah Lyles has resurfaced after he beat Kenny Bednarek in the 200m final at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships - and it speaks volumes.
Lyles won by just 0.4 seconds, pipping Bednarek to first place to claim victory in a 19.63 second run in Oregon. However, the race was marred by an altercation between the pair at the finish line as Lyles looked to trash talk Bednarek once the race ended.
Bednarek responded with a two-handed shove to Lyles’ back, a coming together that threatened to boil over.
On the incident, Lyles said: “On coach’s orders, no comment.”
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The 28-year-old later added: “If I hadn’t looked to the left, I might have run 19.50.”
Bednarek, meanwhile, was more forthcoming, stating: “What he said didn’t matter, it’s just what he did. Unsportsmanlike s***, and I don’t deal with that. It’s a respect factor. He’s fresh. Last time we lined it up, I beat him, that’s all I can say. Next time we line up, I’m going to win. That’s all that matters.”
And sprinting legend Bolt has previously delivered his advice to Lyles as the American looks to leaving a lasting legacy within the sport.
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Speaking to Citius Mag in March 2024, Bolt was asked to assess the landscape of sprinting.
And on Lyles in particular, Bolt said: “I think if he corrects a few things, I won’t say, he could get better. The possibility is there.”
When pressed further on whether he’d divulge how Lyles would set the world record, Bolt responded: “I won’t tell you how to break the world record.”
Bolt faced off against Lyles in March 2023, with the American beating the Jamaican legend in the Racers Grand Prix 200m, running a 19.67s race.
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After the race, Bolt and Lyles embraced and said: “Keep your same attitude. The sport needs that s***. We need personality.”
Lyles and Bednarek will resume their rivalry at the Tokyo Championship next month, with the latter seemingly prepared to maintain his war of words with the former.
Previewing their upcoming meet in Tokyo, Bednarek said: “We’ll go fresh and we’ll see what happens. Because I’m very confident I can beat him. That’s all I can say.”
Having finished second by just 0.4 seconds in Oregon, Bednarek should feel confident that he’ll be able to pip Lyles to first spot next month.